Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
GIG RACING
The six-oared wooden boats known as
pilot gigs
were once the traditional craft for navigating Cornwall's
shorelines, used for transporting goods and passengers from tall ships which were too big to moor in the shallow
coastal harbours.
These days the boats are used for gig racing, a highly competitive and physically demanding sport. You'll often
spot local teams practising in the waters around St Mary's; organised races are held most weekends.
Every April or May St Mary's also hosts the
World Pilot Gig Championships
, the largest gig-racing regatta in
the world. The event attracts teams from as far away as Holland, Canada and the USA.
Eating
Both the island's big hotels have upmarket restaurants.
Dibble & Grub
( 01720-423719;
www.dibbleandgrub.com
; lunch £6-12, dinner £10-16; 10am-10pm in summer)
Breezy
new beach cafe beside Porthcressa, housed in the island's old fire station, and specialising
in tapas.
CAFE
££
Juliet's Garden Restaurant
( 01720-422228;
www.julietsgardenrestaurant.co.uk
; mains £8-16; 10am-11pm summer)
Fifteen minutes'
walk from Hugh Town, just above Portloo Beach, this old barn on Seaways Farm began
life as a tiny tearoom but has blossomed into the best place to eat on St Mary's. There's
light lunches by day, candlelit fare by night, all treated with loving care and attention. The
addition of the new Balcony Room has maximised the fine harbour views. There's also a
small farm shop.
RESTAURANT, CAFE
££
TOP OF CHAPTER
Tresco
A short boat hop across the channel from St Mary's brings you to Tresco, the second-
largest island, once owned by the monks of Tavistock Abbey, now leased by locals from
the Duchy of Cornwall.
It's a proper old-fashioned island getaway - for decades there was just one pub and one
hotel on the island, although the recent arrival of the Flying Boat Club has brought a dash
of razzle-dazzle to this tiny corner of Scilly.
